Silent Spinner wheel

[Willow]

Just got a new wheel which seems to be working out fine, its the large size (12") so they can really stretch out and run properly. Its made of very tough plastic so should slow down the most determined of chewers - in fact my two are more interested in playing in it than chewing which is nothing short of amazing (these are the guys that ate my wallpaper!). It was £18 on a sale or return basis from my local pet shop as I wasn't sure what I was getting but I know you can get it cheaper online - try ebay.
I don't have a photo but here's the link to the company's website superpetsusa.com

[Sunshinemeg]

Hey willow, can you find a pic sometime? as the link only brings up a series of other websites, and Im really interested in finding a better wheel!

Regarding the chewing, I discovered yesterday that my guys chew the wheel if it gets too stiff and wont turn easily. I rub tabasco sauce around the rim as they dont like the taste and wont chew it!!! I cant afford weekly replacements otherwise!!

SUNSHINEMEG ;D

[Heddy]

We got the galvanized steel wheel from John Hopewell. A bit expensive to buy but worth its money, not only for the quality of it, but as well because of the amount of other wheels our boys would have went in the meantime. ;D

[Aimeelou]

I managed to get a metal wheel from my local pet shop. Its a chinchilla wheel, and theres enough room for two degus to ride together in tandom! And it only cost £4!!!

[Willow]

Hi Meg
I don't have any photos of mine but if you type in Silent Spinner Wheel into ebay it'll bring up some photos. Ebay shows them as with a stand but I've got mine attached to the side of the cage - 2 weeks in and still no chewing this is a record.
Willow

[diet otaku]

he's a maniac, maaaaaniac... man, i put a silent spinner wheel in the cage a couple of weeks ago and the degus hadn't touched it, so i just assumed it was too small... but frenzy has been running in it ALL MORNING! i came home at 10am from a dr's appointment and noticed him getting in and out over and over again, and i came home from shopping a bit ago and he's still running in it! too bad rumble's probably too big for it, he could use the excercise!

EDIT: just got home from dinner, and now rumble is running in the wheel! granted, he's a bit more awkward... one of his hind feet keeps slipping off the edge, and since he's heavier the wheel makes more noise where it brushes the corner of the cage, but i'm glad he's getting his exercise! i offered to let him in the hamster ball, thinking he might be more comfortable, but he just kept running in the wheel.

[Sunshinemeg]

Dougal is totally obsessed with the wheel in their cage. Runs in it for hours! They are slightly too big for it, even though its an extra large wheel, so they run with their head out the side. Only ever in one direction too. Odd. Thing is, Dougal has done this so much,he has now worn the fur off his chin! and still he keeps running!

MEG ;D

[jaybudder]

I'd still be afraid mine would chew it up... my other consern is do they poop and pee in it, and where does that go... I had a "critter Xtrail

for my mice and had to remove the wheel on top because it got soo gross and completely stunk, granted the degus are no where near as stinky as mice, but still, it's made me steer away from any solid surface wheels.

Right now I'm using an 8" run-around wheel with a gridded floor... but i know I need to get a bigger one soon, that and I worry about when the hit the spokes when one tries to get on while the other is running...

[diet otaku]

jay - mine have tried nibbling the silent spinner but quickly gave up. that stuff is TOUGH. they do poop and pee in it, but they usually kick the poop out while they're running, and i take it out once every day or 2 to wash the pee off with mild dishsoap (not that they put it in their mouths anyway).

[Sunshinemeg]

I have to replace the wheel every few months, as Gromit and Marmalade dont like it, so take any opportunity when the babies arent running in it to chew it! I tried rubbing tobasco sauce on the rim, no luck, I then tried painting something called stop n grow (designed for fingers to stop biting nails) but they actually LIKED that taste!! Oh well.

Jaybudder, I tried a wheel like your second pic, but was too scared of injury as the babies jump on and off while the other is running, so its too easy for the support bar to be in the way.

Meg

[rie73]

Sorry, but I have to laugh when they call it a silent spinner wheel. I found my one rather noisy. We have taken it out to have a look at it and found that the washer has broken inside and that the plastic in the middle of wheel has started to crack. I have only had this wheel about 3 months. Anyone know of a better wheel (but not as expensive as John Hopewell's as I can't really afford it)